Goal-Path Leadership

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For as long as I can remember I have been setting goals for myself. Goals that are for my career and personal life. I am a daily list maker, mostly for the gratification of crossing off the things on my list, but also because it keeps me grounded and on track with my goals.  So, it is no surprise that when I set a goal, I feel compelled to physically write it down, as well.

When I was going to college to become an Educational Administrator, one of my classes was to learn about my leadership style. We read a book explaining the multiple styles, and ironically, the type of leadership that fit me to a “T” was the “Goal-Path Leader.” This style of leadership is one where you set a goal and then create smaller steps to take to reach the goal, like stepping stones along a path. Along the way, there may be modifications to the steps to reach the goal but follow the path and you will have obtained your goal.

While transitioning this model from running a school to a personal goal, one could do the same: create a goal and write it down. Then, list steps it would take to attain the goal. When I wanted to become an author, I had no idea how to attain that goal. I began to create the steps to accomplish the goal and followed them. During the process, I did have to make some changes to the steps but still stayed the course. It did take perseverance and dedication to complete it but now I am so happy that I accomplished it. It was a very proud moment when I received my first book in the mail, one that I will never forget. 

For example:
Goal: Become an author
Create a path to attain the goal.
Step one:
Write and write and write. Set a deadline for completion of writing your first draft. 
Step two:
Connect with people who are self published authors and learn from them. 
Step three:
Create a team to edit, design, and upload my book once it is completed.
Step four:
Check-in with the progress and make any adjustments or corrections to the first draft. 
Step five:
Final check-in on cover and corrections.
Step six:
Upload the book to be self published.
Step seven:
You are published!!

This is just a scaled back example, there were more steps along the way and a few adjustments to the path. Leave room for delays and roadblocks, but seek out ways to make them disappear.  With each book that we have published, we have created better paths and deadlines to improve our process. 

The more you practice this type of goal setting, the more you will have in life. “More” doesn’t always mean more things, but more accomplishments and achievements. Don’t fret over failed goals, learn from them and make corrections to the path. Remember long term goals take time so be patient with the process. So whatever your next goal is, set a path to obtain it. You can do this! 

What I have learned: Create the goal and set your path and you can achieve it.